Welcome

Welcome to the POZ/AIDSmeds Community Forums, a round-the-clock discussion area for people with HIV/AIDS, their friends/family/caregivers, and
others concerned about HIV/AIDS. Click on the links below to browse our various forums; scroll down for a glance at the most recent posts; or join in the
conversation yourself by registering on the left side of this page.

Privacy Warning: Please realize that these forums are open to all, and are fully searchable via Google and other search engines. If you are HIV positive
and disclose this in our forums, then it is almost the same thing as telling the whole world (or at least the World Wide Web). If this concerns you, then do not use a
username or avatar that are self-identifying in any way. We do not allow the deletion of anything you post in these forums, so think before you post.

The information shared in these forums, by moderators and members, is designed to complement, not replace, the relationship between an individual and his/her own
physician.

All members of these forums are, by default, not considered to be licensed medical providers. If otherwise, users must clearly define themselves as such.

Forums members must behave at all times with respect and honesty. Posting guidelines, including time-out and banning policies, have been established by the moderators
of these forums. Click here for “Am I Infected?” posting guidelines. Click here for posting guidelines pertaining to all other POZ/AIDSmeds community forums.

We ask all forums members to provide references for health/medical/scientific information they provide, when it is not a personal experience being discussed. Please
provide hyperlinks with full URLs or full citations of published works not available via the Internet. Additionally, all forums members must post information which are
true and correct to their knowledge.

Author
Topic: figured it was time i introduced myself (Read 5923 times)

My name is Jeff. about 3 weeks ago I got out of the shower looked in the mirror and saw red "blotches" all over my body..my heart went into my throat, i called in sick and headed to the emergency room they ruled out most possibilities (ex food allergy,medicine allergy) until they were basically lefty with 2 possibilities stage 2 syphillis or HIV sero conversion rash so i took what i thought were tests for both waited a week an got a call from the ER doctor saying good news...it WAS syphillis...and its easily treatable so i said, oh, so your telling me the HIV was neg and he said no, we did not perform an HIV test (dont ask me i still dont undderstand why either)

so anyway i headed to a doctor with knowledge that i needed bicillin injections and hiv test. deep inside i think i already new what the results were going to be if ive got one there is a very real chance that ive got both.

well sure enough the blood work comes back and i tested for syphillis gonnoreah, hep b antibodies and HIV poz.

by now ive had all 3 bicillin injections and rash is pretty much gone. i went to manhattan to get one of the best HIV specialists and she is now my primary care phys. i was suprised but i am very comfortaable with a female doctor. she did the major blood work for me and i spent the week(last week) hiding inside a bottle of vodka (lol)...dont worry i didnt drowned and now ive climbed back out and ready to deal with the situation. my numbers came back cd4 621 vl 82,574 31% 0.59 not quite sure what that all means but im using the lessons here and at some other sites ive found to educate myself. i have not been to work since the rash showed up (that was back on 8-18) and im going back monday (the HR director and my supervisor know my situation and are more then supportive) not suree whats next but i guess its probably a good idea not to go back into that bottle of vodka LOL.i look forward to making new freinds soon,.

Logged

theres only ustheres only thisforget regretor life is yours to missno other roadno other wayno day but today!

Jeff, welcome! You moved very quickly on doing the smartest thing -- getting tested and upon learning about your status you got yourself a doctor whom you like. Having a good doctor with whom you form a working partnership is one of the most important elements in keeping you healthy.

You two will check your numbers out and see how the pattern develops in the coming months. You don't have to rush into making any treatment decisions at this point. Gradually you will learn all the basics about staying well.

You're doing very well. You may find yourself surprised that you will suddenly and unexpectedly become emotional in different ways. Maybe not, but just know it's par for the course. You're always welcome here to ask questions or to discuss anything else that's on your mind.

I wanted to take a moment to extend to you a warm WELCOME to the forums. You have definitely plugged into the right site. Here you will find communication, understanding, lessons, some cries, some laughter, support, and may of your questions answered relating to HIV/AIDS.

We definitely have a great group of people and you will find a lot of information here at your disposal. DO feel free to come and browse, or even toi vent from time-to-time. There is listening and answering here.

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis I'm a newbie too. Hopefully things will get better for us. My doc is a female too LOL. She's an Infectious Disease doctor from New York City so I hope she's right for me. lol..

Hang in there bud... I just had my 2nd set of labs drawn this past friday.

hi thanks for the welcomes everyone. I also got a couple of private messages askin g me about the doctor in NY. I dont know how to respond to them privately so i will just say the name of the office is Astor Medical Group and they are on Irving Pl on the lowereast side (18th st) the gentleman from nassau county (i live on long island) ddept of health came to see me after i tested poz for multiple stds and he seemed very impressed with my choice and he said they are very good so im keeping my fingers crossed.

Logged

theres only ustheres only thisforget regretor life is yours to missno other roadno other wayno day but today!

Well it looks like you have caught it early on which is good. You have lots of those ever important T-cells (Lwood numbers his for just such an emergency!) and your % looks pretty good too. I am glad you found us and look forward to hearing all about you.

I too have had the dreaded syphillis and it fucking sucked ASS! Had me down and OUT for like 4 months before they figured it out.

Logged

LIFE is not a race to the grave with the intention of arriving safelyin a pretty and well-preserved body, but, rather to skid in broadside,thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming--WOW! WHAT ARIDE!!!

Hi Jeff Sorry that your test came back POZ ..but your with a lot of us who care ..and will be here to help at any time we can ..Your numbers are really good ..and keeping away from the drug and alcohol will help a lot..I was a heavy user and I stop-ed drinking and using before I tested ..I was almost 2 yrs clean when I did test and I managed to stay clean ..and Today i find it help me to keep a better attitude about my life and about AIDS having to live with me ..( I put it Thu hell ) .lol..Goodluck to you ..and remember ..were only a email away